Head Butting

I would talk to the doctor. Maybe s/he'll have some suggestions. Also get it 'on the record' as an issue. I know a long time ago my mom was telling me that one of her cousins did this and one time he got a fever and back then they put them in ice water to bring it down, all of those old bruises showed up and CPS was called. Luckily they had on file with the doctor his history of beating his head against the wall. Dont want to scare you - just an fyi if you hadnt thought of it!

Good luck I hope someone has some answers for you

Have you tried teaching him any baby signs? This would enable him to express himself even before he's verbal. We taught our boys things like sad, angry etc. as well as the standard eat/drink/more type signs. When I could see they were getting upset, I would speak for them - e.g. "It looks like you're feeling very mad" and while making the appropriate sign. I think it made a big difference in reducing their frustration level (and ours, lol).

I would get a workup (MRI etc) by a good pedi neurologist. My son was a bit older but displayed the same type of behavior and was having severe headaches....kids do hit their heads for attention sometimes but usually not to the point of hurting themselves...good luck...
B.

Okay, this may sound like the absolute craziest advise you will have evern received, BUT...my husband did this as a child (2 yrs old) and his parents told the Pediatrician and this is what he told them to do (keep in mind this was 30 years ago):

Take a big glass of ice cold water and pour it on him. They only had to do it to my dh twice and he stopped it. FYI, he was head butting a BRICK floor.

I know you have to think that this is nuts and I could probably never do it but I also wouldn't want my baby hurting herself either.

Good luck - I'm sure this is the hardest thing to deal with.

If he is mainly doing it when he is upset or cannot express himself then I would suggest 2 things. One: teach him sign language to express some of his needs/thoughts. We have a DVD called "My Baby Can Talk" which is very helpful or you can check out signing books from the library.
Also, I highly suggest you buy or check out from the library a DVD called "Happiest Toddler On the Block" it has some really great suggestions for handling tantrums. I know you are not talking about tantrums but I think the same technique would apply.
Good Luck!!

Back away a little and look the other way when he does it but do not let him truely hurt himself. I promise it will pass in a few months. He has to express himself and this is how he is doing it. My son did the same thing. He even made himself bleed a few times. Hard to watch but will pass.

My daughter started this when she was 12 months old. It scared me to death. The doctor assured me that she would not do it hard enough to cause damage. He said we she learned to communicate with speaking she would stop. He was right.